Hillary Williams, also known as “Killary”, is an American grappler with numerous international titles, including a world championship (2010). Coming up the Brazilian jiu jitsu ranks, Hillary was famed for her athletic ability as much as her technique and constant drive to seek the best coaches in the sport, she was also one of the most accomplished North American jiu jitsu competitors of her generation.
Hillary Williams Jiu Jitsu
Full Name: Hillary Williams
Nickname: Hillary has a few, but the ones that stand out are, of course, her war name “Killary” (which goes without explanation) and “Paraíba” given by her training partners. Paraíba is a Portuguese word that has the equivalent connotation to the term “red neck” in the United States, this was due to her Arkansas roots.
Lineage 1: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Andre Pederneiras > Toni Emanuel > Matt Hamilton > Hillary Williams
Lineage 2: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Diojone Farias > Rolando “Roli” Delgado > Hillary Williams
Main Achievements/Record:
- World Champion (2010)
- Bronze Medalist at ADCC;
- Pan American Gold Medalist (2010, 2009 weight & absolute, 2008, 2007)
- Purple Belt World Champ (weight & absolute)
- No Gi World Champion (weight & absolute brown/black)
- Brazilian Nationals Champion (2010)
- Silver Brazilian Nationals Medallist (2010 absolute)
- Pan American Bronze Medallist (2010 absolute)
Weight Division: Middleweight (69kg-152lbs)
Favorite Technique: Triangle
Association/Team: Westside MMA in Little Rock, AR.
Hillary Williams Biography
Hillary was born on the 14th of October 1988 in Arkansas, United States of America. A competitor by nature, she has been involved one way or another with numerous different sports, such as volleyball, soccer, softball, and even golf.
It was at the off season of these sports that Hillary got in touch with BJJ. Trying to find a sport that would keep her fit during the sport’s break, she started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Westside MMA with two experienced coaches, Matt Hamilton and UFC’s Roli Delgado. Hillary was 18 years old, and loved her first BJJ experience (much to her mother’s dismay).
Being the competitor that she is, she immediately started competing at the local tournaments with the other girls, and sometimes even venturing in the men’s divisions. With time Hilary started her “Ronin“ training attitude, always interested in training with the best, she wondered around the US in search for as much training as possible, and also looking to go to the source of BJJ (Brazil) as often as possible.
Collecting first places in competition after competition, Hillary was awarded her Brown Belt by the hands of Roli Delgado in November 2009. In Early June 2010 Hillary achieved her Black Belt by the hands of her long term coaches Roli Delgado and Matt Hamilton. The cerimony was celebrated after she won the World Championships in the combined Brown and Black Belt Women’s Division. Being one of the very few Americans to have reached the most prestigious Jiu Jitsu tournament in the World, Hillary achieved all these amazing deeds in an astonishing time frame of little over 4 years.
Hillary Williams highlight of the Abu Dhabi North America Trials
Hillary Williams Pan Am 2008
Hillary Williams vs Tahiana konig World Championships 2009 (CBJJE)
this boy who fight with that girl is shit! he lose with girl,what a sucker,i don't training martial arts and i'll kick her ass easy…
You are such a loser. Talking crap about a women with more guts than you ever had.
Sure you would, tough guy…
lol @ insecure internet tough guy
Cool article btw
The guy Hillary rolled with clearly was a rookie, but that shouldnt take anything away from Hillary. She has rolled with stronger people, and has won.
Guys, I was a white belt when that video was taken…
I’ve seen this girl dominate since she was young, I’ve seen her humiliate grown men who were experienced and completely roided out looking. She will snap your arm and not think twice about it!
This woman is totally and legitimately accomplished.. nothing can downplay that.
Hillary u did great w u coming to hawaii
Its not as easy as you think. i did jiu jitsu and it was a fun time but you have to have a commitment and train hard.
PZM, go to some other forum and post your women-hating B.S. You are such a loser. You should be banned.You are not good enoughto be associated with BJJ.
Hi Matt, I only approved the comment so he could be flamed. I knew the BJJ crew wouldn't let it slide 😉
Cool good job bro.
I do not think she is anywhere near as good as the compared women on this top list. I do not even believe she is currently practicing BJJ any longer. She should be removed I don't think this is fair to the other women who are up here.
well… She kinda is a Pan am and world champion as well as an ADCC medallist, that is sort of a big deal here… She still trains, just doesnt compete due to her studies.
I believe according to the IBJJF doesn’t one have to be a minimum of a second degree black belt in order to promote someone to black belt? What ranks where Roli Delgado and Matt Hamilton at the time that they promoted Williams? If you look at her promotion video, none of the black belts in attendance, except for one (not Delgado or Hamilton) had a single stripe on their belts. If you check out Hamilton’s school’s site it lists him as a first degree black belt. I’m not doubting Williams legitimacy as a black belt, because obviously the IBJJF recognizes her, but am wondering if at the time of her promotion did either Delgado or Hamilton have the authority to do so?
Jason, those are the guys that awarded Hilary her black belt, you are correct. They are the guys that trained with her the most so they should be mentioned and respected. But this is just a symbolic gesture; they don’t need to be exactly the same people who sign up the papers for the IBJJF. Hilary has trained with Cavaca, Cyborg, Julio Cesar, etc, etc. who all vouch for her and can sign the certificate.
IBJJF degrees are a formality to, for guys that have been registered at the IBJJF for a long period of time and keep paying their fees. There are guys out there that don’t bother with doing that, I know someone that was a black belt world champion back in 2000 who still is a 1st degree bb, because he doesnt bother with paying IBJJF.
OK, now I understand. Thanks.
Cyborg is the IBJJF-recognized BB who validated her black belt.